Heating system



D60 16, 1952 .c. T. PIERMATTEO 2,622,185

HEATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.)

Charles 7. P/erma/Ieo INVENTOR.

BY w-ma,

C. T. PIERMATTEO Dec. 16, 1952 HEATING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1950 "0 Charles I Pierma/feo mmvron.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 5 New 0 Char/es 7.'Pierma rfeo HEATING SYSTEM C. T. PIERMATTEO LILLJJLLIJLJ-LU '1 iIlllilillllillllll\ili-. A

LU l 1 Dec. 16, 1952 Filed Feb. 8, 195

Dec. 16, 1952 c. T. PIERMATTEO HEATING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 8, 1950 Char/es IP/ermaf/eo IN VEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I HEATING SYSTEM Charles T. Piermatteo, Philadelphia, Pa. Application February 8, 1950, Serial No. 143,063

-1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to the class of heating and ventilation and more particularly to an electrically operated heater and steam generator. An object of this invention is to heat fluid and generate steam by the introduction and transmission of electricity through portions of the water to be heated, causing currents-in the water tobe formed due to thedifferent temperature gradients to cause circulation thereof so that the entire mass of water is brought within the influence of the electrical current and is rapidly and uniformly heated to generate steam therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified heating system which involves no moving parts and which eliminates the use of hazardous combustibles, such as coal, oil and gas.

Yet another object of the invention. is to provide a detachable hot water supply unit which can be used together with the main heating element or can, if desired, be used separately.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a detachable and easily removable heating unit which is adapted to be detachably inserted in a casing to form the complete heating unit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a heating system which requires a minimum of attention and which'can be automatically controlled through the use of suitable thermostatic devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating unit which will have readily replaceable parts which may be readily substituted for worn, used or corroded elements.

Still further objects of .the invention reside in the provision of an electrical heating apparatus 1 which is strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in operation, simple in construction and design, capable of being easily installed and repaired, and which is comparatively inexpensive to operate. j

. These, together with the various ancillary objects of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this heating apparatus or system, preferred embodiments of which have been-illustrated in the accompanying drawingsby way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the invention, parts throughout being shown in section to show the other parts thereof in-greater detail;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of 'a portion of the invention showing the electrodes in greatest detail, with parts thereof beingbroken 7 Y Figure '7 is an elevational view of a connector forming one portion of an electrode used in this invention;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view as taken I along the longitudinal axis of a further embodiment of heatingsystem;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view aS taken along 9-9 in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view as taken along line llii0 in Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional detail of the invention showing the means of fork connecting the electrodes to the spaced plates supported within the inner casing.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral l0 generally designates the heating unit or system comprising the present invention which is of the water-resistant type in which water serves as a means for completing an electrical circuit and also as the resistor therefor. Thus, the positive and negative electrodes forming elements of the invention are electrically connected by the resistor which is the water contained within the boiler or casing.

Referring now to the embodimentshown in Figure 1 through 7, reference numeral 12 generally represents a cylindrical casing which may be readily made from a suitable steel properly coated with a layerof porcelain. The casing l2 is formed out of a hollow cylinder having flanges M provided with spaced apertures about their circumference through which bolts It can be used for securing end walls or covers l8 and 26 to the flanges. Suitable gaskets22 are used to pro- I vide a seal between the flanges and the side walls l8 and20. V

A threaded drain plug 24 is provided in the bottom of the tank for draining and flushing the heating system. Near one end of the casing I2 there is provided a threaded opening 26.

- Threadedly secured within the opening 26 is a 1 suitable connecting element 28 which is used for *connecting a fluid supply system to the casing for selectively filling the caslngwith water. The

members 28 comprise suitable insulating material so that there is no metal-to-metal contact between the casing I2 and the connected piping. Reference numerals 38 and 32 generally designate pair of threaded openings for the passage of hot water under natural circulation or for the passage of steam as desired. The connectors 34 and 36 which are engaged within these openings 38 and 32 are also of hard, insulative materials.

A pressure relief or safety valve is secured within an opening 38 and an opening 48 for a combined Water gauge, thermometer and thermostat is secured within opening 46.

A pair of plates 42 and 44 ar secured tothe inner surface of the casing I2 and extend longitudinally therewith. An apertured base plate 46 is secured upon the plates 42 and 44 and is .detachably held in place by bolts 48. The base plate 46 is preferably of a hard insulative material and the perforations 50 formed therein are for passage of water to enhance the circulation thereof and also for the passage of foreign matter, such as scale, and the like, to the bottom of the casing, where it may be readily drained and flushed therefrom.

On the base 46 are mounted and secured the brackets 52 and 54 which support a longitudinally extending insulative rod 56.

Supported on the rod 56 are sets of concentric electrodes 58, 66 and 62 which are provided with apertured plates to allow for free circulation of heated water. The electrodes 58, 60 and 62 are supported in spaced relation from the plate '46 by legs 64, 66, and 68, respectively.

The electrodes areconnected through suitable conductors to a source of electrical power outside of the casing. The conductors extend through the binding posts I which-are secured to the casing and which are best illustrated in Figure 6. The bindingposts I6 comprise a bushing 12 threadedly secured to the casing I2. A porcelain lined insulative-sheath I4 having a collar 16 formed thereon is positioned in the bushing I2. A pair of gaskets T8 and 80 are positioned on either side of the collar I6ab0ut the sheath I4 and by means ofa compression gland nut 82, the sheath is made fast to the bushing I2. The conductors extend through thesheath14" and are held by bolts'84 and connected to an outer conductor which is connected 'to the source'of power. "A plurality of disk-type electrodes 86 are secured about the rod 56 in spaced relation'andare held in the spaced relation by tubular sleeves 88 of insulative material. Each of these sleeves 88 is positioned between adjacent electrodes 86 and on either side of the electrode 86. A cotter pin 90 passing through the rod 56 is used to hold the entire disk electrode assembly in its predetermined and proper place. A plurality of U-shaped conductive elements .92 connect alternate disk electrodes 86 and other conductors are used to connect the disk electrodes 86 to the legs 64, 66 and 68 to provideoperative electricalcircuits between the disk electrodes.

Secured to the flange I4 is a domestic hot water heating unit which comprises a casing I00 which has a base I02 suitably mounted thereon. A pair of apertured cylinders I04 and I06 are secured to the base in spaced-relation therewith by legs I08. By means of elements III], spiral conductors II 2 and I I6 which areformed from hollow tubing are operatively emplaced about the cylinders I04 and I66, respectively. The members -I I8 comprise conductors having apertures I I6 for connecting th suitable-electrical conductors which. are connected to the outside Power supply to the members IIU. Further, the members IIII are provided with apertures I28 for providing passage of water into the tubular elements IIZand II6. In this manner, heating surface for each of the electrodes is obtained and a large amount of water may be readily and easily heated thereby. The purpose of the various configurations of the electrodes is to provide varying temperatured gradients within the casing I2'so that currents may be induced to cause ready and even heating of the water in the casing. In order to form steam, it is merely necessary to pre-set the valve in the opening 38 to the desired steam pressure and fill the casing I2 half way full. The water between the electrodes closes an operative electrical circuit and acts as a resistant to cause the columns and portions of water between the electrodes to heat rapidly.

Referring now to the form of the invention shownin Figures 8 throughllof th drawings, reference numeral I56 is used to designate a casing having flanges I52 formed at the ends thereof to which end walls I54 may be readily secured to form a suitable tank which may be readily suspended and secured in any convenient manner. Like the embodiment shown and described in Figures 1 through 7, the tank used in this embodiment of the invention is of the type that is adapted tobe suspended from asuitable structure, sinceit-is light and compact in design.

The tank is divided into two separate compartments by a plate I58. Gaskets I60 are provided to insure the water tightness of the connections between the flanges I52 and plates I54. Hinge bolts I6I are used to detachably secure the end plates I54 to the flanges I52, and either end plate I54 maybe readily removed to prosupply. Each'of thecasings I64 is preferably of porcelain covered metallic structure and provided with flanges I66 at the open end on which plate I68 may be detachably secured, using bolts I16 and gasket I12 .to efiect a water-tight seal. Secured to the casing I64 and insulated therefrom are supporting walls I'I4 which are formed with radially spaced openings I16 through which water may readily flow. An inner annular flange I18 may optionally be formed on the plates H4 in the center thereof for supporting a central void tank I86 to decl'easethe amount of water between electrodes which are used to heat the water. The electrodes are formed in concentric rings which are generally designated'by reference numerals I80, I82 and I84, the rings I 86 and I84 of electrodes being .the outer andinner rings, and'the ring I82 being the intermediate ring. The outerrings'IBIlandthe inner ring I84 are connected to a terminal of the electrical power source through suitable conductors. The intermediate ring ofelectrodes I82 is connected to the other terminal of the power source. .In order to make theelectron emitting and receiving surfaces of the electrodes equal, the intermediate electrode I82 is formed withthe outer area thereof equal to the outer area of the sum of the outer areas of the innerand-outer rings of-electrodes. Each I of the electrodes comprises aacopper shaft I86 which extends through the walls I14 and which is threaded at its ends as at I88. A suitable annular gasket I90 of insulative material is positioned within apertures I92 formed in the walls I14 through which the shafts I86 extend. Tubular carbon elements I89 are positioned concentric With the shaft I86 thereabout between the opposed walls I14. Nuts I94 are then secured on the shaft I86 in order to secure and rigidly hold. the walls I14 and the electrodes in a spaced relationship. Then by means of nuts I96, conductors I98 may be connected to the shafts I136. The conductors I98 are electrically connected to a source of power through insulative binding posts 200 similar to the insulative binding posts I0. Further, it is within the contemplation of the invention to use other suitable binding posts for this object. The binding posts 200 pass through the outer casing I50 and into the inner casing I64.

In the operation of this form of the invention, water is permitted to enter the inner and outer tanks of both compartments through the inlet pipe connections 202 and 204 after the tank has been bled for accumulated air therein by bleeder valves 206. With the system filled with water, an electric current under automatic temperature control is applied on the positive and negative carbon electrodes I88 through the rods I96 and conductors I98. The resulting reaction due to the resistance set up by the water content quickly heats the water surrounding the electrodes to a temperature just below the boiling point, at which time the automatic temperature control cuts in to open the circuit. At the same time, the heat generated within the inner tank I64 is rapidly transmitted through the walls of the inner tanks to the water spaces between the outer casing I50 and the inner tanks I64. By the natural forced circulation, heat is carried from the outer tanks to piping connected for a domestic hot water supply. When the water in the outer tank has reached a predetermined temperature, a suitable combination temperature control device cuts in to break the circuit in both compartments. As the water cools in the outer tanks, the control switch cuts in again to close the circuit. In order to insure safe operation, the units are separately connected with excess pressure relief valves 208 which are pre-set as desired. These valves 208 protect the system if the control system fails to operate. The automatic temperature control device is not shown and may be any one of the conventional thermostatic devices which may be secured in any desired place within the casing I50. Further, it should be noted that there is no electric connection between the water within the inner casings I64 and between the casing I64 and the outer casing I50. To supplement any of the Water which may be lost due to leaks or of operation, a constant flow is insured by supplying the Water under pressure through the pipes 202 and 204 as desired. The return main 2H) from the radiators is secured to the bottom of the tank casing I50 and the outlet members 2 I2 are secured likewise to the casing I50.

Since, from the foregoing, the construction and advantages of these forms of heating systems are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

An apparatus for heating fluids and generating steam comprising a cylindrical casing, means secured in said casing for supporting a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of electrodes secured to said means, said electrodes being operatively secured to a source of electrical power, each of said electrodes comprising a cylinder having a hollow spiral tube wrapped thereupon.

CHARLES T. PIERMATTEO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 23, 19 5 

